Wood Smith Henning & Berman is thrilled to share that Florida partner Ryan Schoeb and senior associate Janeé Prince secured a significant victory on behalf of a national property management company and property owner, obtaining summary judgment in a high-stakes negligent security lawsuit arising from an alleged sexual assault at the client's property. The case involved serious allegations, a complex factual record, and a $10 million demand.
Despite the difficult and sensitive nature of the underlying incident and vigorous opposition, the court granted the defense motion for summary judgment, resulting in a complete defense victory. The court agreed with the defense that the plaintiff was not entitled to invitee status and further failed to establish a breach of duty by the defendants.
"This was a challenging and emotionally charged case, but the court ultimately focused on the legal duties owed and the actual evidence presented," said Schoeb. "Our team conducted a thorough investigation and developed a strong factual record that demonstrated our clients did not breach any duty. We are extremely pleased with the court's decision."
The ruling underscores the importance of early investigation, strategic discovery, and targeted dispositive motion practice on high-exposure premises liability and negligent security cases.
"This result reflects the importance of careful factual analysis and strategic motion practice in high-exposure cases," Prince added. "Summary judgment in a case with allegations of this nature and a demand of this size is a significant outcome for our clients."
This result highlights the firm's continued success in defending complex, high-exposure negligence and premises liability matters and obtaining dispositive rulings in challenging cases.
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